Scan barcode
theirresponsiblereader's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
You can do this, Cameron. You have intelligence, competence, and experience on your side.
“You’re right. I can handle this job on my own. I got this,” he huffed as he tried to make himself believe those words.
I was referring to me.
What’s The Days of Tao About?
Cameron Poe is about to graduate from college—he would’ve graduated already if he hadn’t picked up a D in Art History, of all things. To make up for that before he can start training to be a full-fledged Prophus operative, he’s taking a summer class in Greece with a couple of his friends. It’s a relaxing time in a fascinating part of the world with an interesting group of students—and a chance for one last college romance before he has to focus.
But then a Prophus agent needs immediate extraction because he has vital information to share, his life is in danger, and the Genjix are about to take their aggression to the next level throughout the world. And Cameron’s the closest thing that the Prophus have to an operative in the country.
Cameron can’t abandon his friends, though—and they won’t abandon their classmates—so he ends up dragging along most of the group on his rescue mission (why make things easy for himself?)
What did I think about The Days of Tao?
I bought this shortly after its publication, and have no idea why I didn’t read it until now (and don’t get me started on The Fall of Io). If it accomplished nothing else, it got me thinking about the series and remembering how much fun it was.
I don’t remember what I thought of them while reading them (and I’m not going to look), but I remember the Tao novels being a little longer than they needed to—that’s not a criticism, but I think they could have been tightened up a bit. Not this—the advantage of the novella—there’s not an ounce of fat to this, not one wasted word. That’s not to say that it’s all plot or anything— Beyond the action and the extraction, there are some good character moments, some necessary development of Cameron, and a couple of laughs—but this novella never slows or drags for a moment. Once the agent says he needs extraction (and, even before that), we’re off to the races and you’d better be buckled up.
Looking at this book’s place in the series, it serves to put the action and the characters (including Io) in place for The Rise of Io. Was this a necessary bridge between the Tao and Io books? Not really no. That’s one thing about these Subterranean Press books—they’re a nice bonus to completists, but people who don’t want to/are too slow to shell out the money for the nice hardcovers (and don’t want to go ebook or audiobook) don’t miss anything they need. But man, it was a nice way to spend an hour or so with some old friends. I really enjoyed this and would commend it (even at this late date) to fans of Tao and the Tan family.
tkadlec's review
4.0
Another fun entry into the world of Tao. I do think Days of Tao is not quite as polished as the other entries in the Tao series—it feels a little less mature in tone which I suppose makes sense given that Cameron is moved front and center while Jill and Roen are barely involved. While not quite as strong as the other books, it’s a fun and quick way to dip back into this universe while we wait for The Rise of Io to be released.
issamshahid's review against another edition
5.0
This was worth the read, and it bridges the gap nicely between the two trilogies. It's not as long as the other books, but I felt that the story was on par with the rest of the series (And enough to satiate my hunger for the next installment).
mlejoy's review against another edition
4.0
This novella takes place after the first three Tao books. The protagonist of this book is the son of Roen from [b:The Lives of Tao|15981711|The Lives of Tao (Tao, #1)|Wesley Chu|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361886088s/15981711.jpg|19932371]. I don't think it's necessary to have read the other books first, it certainly would help in understanding everything that was going on (I've only read the first book, but I plan to read the rest of the trilogy). Plus, Lives of Tao is a fantastic book. It's funny, fast paced, well written - completely enjoyable (as was this novella).
This story focuses on the outbreak of the war between the Prophus and Genjix who are factions in a war of Quasings (alien beings that are nearly immortal) that inhabit a host body in a symbiotic way (it always makes think of the Goa'uld in Stargate SG1). Cameron Tan is a Prophus agent-in-training, and is the only person available to help with the evacuation of a valuable asset as war breaks out. Things get complicated when some of his classmates end up coming along to escape the growing violence. It's an entertaining novella, and I only have one complaint really.
I think if you've read and liked [b:Altered Carbon|40445|Altered Carbon (Takeshi Kovacs, #1)|Richard K. Morgan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387128955s/40445.jpg|2095852] or [b:Heroes Die|311864|Heroes Die (The Acts of Caine, #1)|Matthew Woodring Stover|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403193753s/311864.jpg|302782], you'll like this novella and if you haven't read it, you should try [b:The Lives of Tao|15981711|The Lives of Tao (Tao, #1)|Wesley Chu|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361886088s/15981711.jpg|19932371]. They're all action packed books that in some way involve changing bodies, or sharing consciousness with someone else. They're also all books that are favorites of mine.
I got an advanced copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for a review
PS - LOVE this cover
This story focuses on the outbreak of the war between the Prophus and Genjix who are factions in a war of Quasings (alien beings that are nearly immortal) that inhabit a host body in a symbiotic way (it always makes think of the Goa'uld in Stargate SG1). Cameron Tan is a Prophus agent-in-training, and is the only person available to help with the evacuation of a valuable asset as war breaks out. Things get complicated when some of his classmates end up coming along to escape the growing violence. It's an entertaining novella, and I only have one complaint really.
Spoiler
That the traitor isn't revealed. I'm going to guess that's because there's a book coming that might address thatI think if you've read and liked [b:Altered Carbon|40445|Altered Carbon (Takeshi Kovacs, #1)|Richard K. Morgan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387128955s/40445.jpg|2095852] or [b:Heroes Die|311864|Heroes Die (The Acts of Caine, #1)|Matthew Woodring Stover|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1403193753s/311864.jpg|302782], you'll like this novella and if you haven't read it, you should try [b:The Lives of Tao|15981711|The Lives of Tao (Tao, #1)|Wesley Chu|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361886088s/15981711.jpg|19932371]. They're all action packed books that in some way involve changing bodies, or sharing consciousness with someone else. They're also all books that are favorites of mine.
I got an advanced copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for a review
PS - LOVE this cover
myfrogmonster's review
5.0
This story leads up to The Rise of Io. (I read them in the wrong order but that's ok, they are both awesome stories and I did just fine).................I have loved every book in the Tao series and this short story is no exception. I have told friends about the books and every one of them enjoyed the books as much as I have. The stories are fun and interesting. Great escape reading. I truly hope there are more coming. Please..........
sarahvinnet's review against another edition
4.0
This is a relatively light, quick read (for the Tao series). It finish out Cameron’s coming of age story with some light humor and dark betrayal. A fun read.
glaiza_echo's review
4.0
The Days of Tao is a fast-moving thriller and a snapshot coming of age story, which follows Cameron Tan, an agent-in-training, as he fumbles through a sudden mission: https://paperwanderer.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/the-days-of-tao-by-wesley-chu/
reanne's review
(I got a free copy of this through Netgalley.)
This novella would probably be enjoyed by people who are already fans of this series. For me, even having read the first book some time last year, I could have used some more explaining. So if you're a newcomer to this world, expect to feel a little lost regarding the worldbuilding and established characters. If you're already a fan, though, at least you won't have to put up with repetition of things you already know.
As for the plot, I found it to be an exercise in frustration. The setup was interesting, with Cameron getting "activated" to help a vital asset get out of the country. The problem is he turns totally bleeding-heart rookie and insists on taking his friends along. At first, I could understand this. I'd have a hard time just leaving my two best friends (who are also part of the organization) behind as well. But then things go downhill quickly. He lets the other kids, ones he barely knows, delay him and dictate to him, and he never just lays down the law like the situation demands. And that, it turns out, is what this book is really about: Cameron trying to corral these argumentative kids who shouldn't even be in the story when he should be focusing on his given task. In the early parts, it talks about him becoming a spy. Given what I saw of him in this book, he'd be an extremely poor spy. Unless he can get that leaky heart of his under control, Cameron isn't a character I'd want to read any more about.
On the plus side, the cover looks terrific.
This novella would probably be enjoyed by people who are already fans of this series. For me, even having read the first book some time last year, I could have used some more explaining. So if you're a newcomer to this world, expect to feel a little lost regarding the worldbuilding and established characters. If you're already a fan, though, at least you won't have to put up with repetition of things you already know.
As for the plot, I found it to be an exercise in frustration. The setup was interesting, with Cameron getting "activated" to help a vital asset get out of the country. The problem is he turns totally bleeding-heart rookie and insists on taking his friends along. At first, I could understand this. I'd have a hard time just leaving my two best friends (who are also part of the organization) behind as well. But then things go downhill quickly. He lets the other kids, ones he barely knows, delay him and dictate to him, and he never just lays down the law like the situation demands. And that, it turns out, is what this book is really about: Cameron trying to corral these argumentative kids who shouldn't even be in the story when he should be focusing on his given task. In the early parts, it talks about him becoming a spy. Given what I saw of him in this book, he'd be an extremely poor spy. Unless he can get that leaky heart of his under control, Cameron isn't a character I'd want to read any more about.
On the plus side, the cover looks terrific.
More...